Darvaika Wilderness

Darvaika Wilderness

The 1 450 ha Darvaika Wilderness is embedded in Synevyr National Nature Park, Ukraine. The Darvaika Wilderness is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site – Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe. The Darvaika Wilderness has high potential for further enlargement. The Wilderness has no roads and is without any management intervention. Furthermore, there has been minimal human impact over the last decades, and according to Ukrainian legislation the majority area is not open to the public. There is a tourist trail passing by on the ridge.

The Darvaika Wilderness is one of several Wilderness areas in Synevyr National Nature Park and beside Chornyy Dil Wilderness it includes five additional areas with Wilderness potential: Kamenka, Kvasovets, Strymba and Vilshany.

European Wilderness Quality Standard Audit System

The Darvaika Wilderness was subject to a Quick-Audit in 2018 and meets the Silver Wilderness Quality Standard due to its outstanding quality. A European Wilderness Quality Standard Full-Audit is scheduled for 2021.

Wilderness information

Protected area: Synevyr National Nature Park

Wilderness: Darvaika Wilderness

Wilderness Quality Standard: Silver

Country: Ukraine

Size of the protected area: 42 704 ha

Size of the Wilderness: 1 450 ha

European Wilderness Quality Standard Audit: 2016

Wilderness Uniqueness: Large contiguous area of old growth broadleaf and conifer forest, favourable habitat for wolf, bear and many other rare species

Number of visitors per year to the protected area: approx. 5 000

Number of visitors per year to the Wilderness: approx. 100

Biodiversity

The Darvaika Wilderness represents an example of undisturbed old-growth mixed forests (beech, maple, fir, spruce and remnants of mugo pine). The area contains a large genetic reservoir, on which many species are dependent and can be associated with in this forest habitat.

The Darvaika Wilderness provides a safe refuge for populations of all Carpathian carnivores such as brown bear, wolf, wildcat and lynx. There is also home to fox, red deer, roe deer, squirrels, martens, badgers, ermines, wood grouse, and grouse. It offers protection for endangered animal species, notably the horned owl. Typical dwellers in the area are the stork and eagle-owl. A rich variety of life can be found in the dying trunks, such as the alpine longicorn Rosalia beetle.The Darvaika Wilderness flora includes several hundreds species of vascular plants, of which many have been entered into Ukraine’s Red Book of endangered species, and Europe’s Red List.

Wilderness Tourism Experience

Access to Darvaika Wilderness is limited and controlled. A visit to the Darvaika Wilderness is permitted only on a tourism trail passing Wilderness along the western border. The trail offeres a great experience for visitors to understand the uniqueness of this place. The area is located approx. 210 km from Uzhhorod and approx. 140 km from the city of Ivano Frankivsk. The Synevyr National Nature Park, besides Darvaika Wilderness, has many examples of old growth broadleaf and conifer forests as well as favourable habitats for wolf, bear and many other rare species. These assets are used for environmental education.

Share this:

Like this:

Related

Search

Search for:

European Wilderness Network

The European Wilderness Network consists of the best Wilderness, WILDForests, WILDRivers, WIDCoasts and WILDIslands all across Europe. Every year new areas are being audited according to the European Wilderness Quality Standard and Audit System and are joining this ever expanding network. All members are audited and then classified according to the predominant habitat in the five categories.